SymbolHub

Reference Mark (※)

The reference mark ※ is Unicode U+203B, the CJK reference mark (komejirushi) used to draw attention to important notes and caveats. Press Copy to put it on your clipboard.

Unicode
U+203B
HTML
※
Word
203B Alt+X

How to type the reference mark (※)

The quickest way is to press Copy above and paste. To type ※ yourself, use the method for your device below.

Windows

  1. In Word or Outlook, type 203B and press Alt + X. Alt + X converts the hex code before the cursor into the character, and back again.
  2. Press Win + R, type charmap and press Enter. Tick “Advanced view”, search for Reference Mark, then Select and Copy. Character Map is built into every version of Windows.

Mac

  1. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for reference mark and double-click it.
  2. With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 203B.

Linux & ChromeOS

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 203b, then press Enter or Space. Works in GTK and IBus apps (GNOME, Firefox, Chrome, LibreOffice) and on ChromeOS.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Copy ※ from this page, then go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement and add it with a shortcut such as ;refe. The shortcut then turns into the symbol as you type, in every app.

Android

  1. Copy ※ here, then open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary and add it with a shortcut.

Microsoft Word

  1. Type 203B, then press Alt + X.
  2. Insert → Symbol → More Symbols. Set “from” to Unicode (hex), type 203B in “Character code” and click Insert.

Google Docs

  1. Insert → Special characters, then search for “reference mark” or draw it in the box.

Excel & Google Sheets

  1. Enter =UNICHAR(8251) in a cell. It works in Excel 2013 and later and in Google Sheets.

HTML

  1. Write ※ or ※ in your HTML.

What does ※ mean?

The reference mark (※), universally known in Japan as the komejirushi (“rice mark”), is a traditional East Asian typographic punctuation mark used to introduce important footnotes, caveats, and disclaimers. Its design consists of an X-shaped cross surrounded by four distinct dots. Because this configuration closely resembles the kanji character for rice, 米 (kome), printers and calligraphers nicknamed it komejirushi.

Unlike Western publishing, which places an asterisk (*) or dagger symbol inside the body text to tag a specific word, Japanese and Korean typography places ※ directly at the start of the explanatory footnote or note itself (e.g. “※ 諸費用は別途申し受けます” — Additional fees apply). It functions like an urgent caution sign, commanding attention far more assertively than a standard bullet point. Compare it with the Western asterism and explore specialized Asian marks in punctuation symbols.

Common uses

  • Heading critical footnotes, restrictions, and fine print in Japanese advertisements and menus
  • Highlighting crucial instructions on consumer packaging and appliance manuals across East Asia
  • Signaling supplementary caveats in financial reports: “※ Prices exclude regional sales tax”

Reference Mark codes for HTML, CSS and programming

Every code below produces ※. Use the HTML entity in web pages, the CSS escape in content, and the escape sequence in source code.

Unicode code pointU+203B
HTML decimal※
HTML hex※
CSS contentcontent: "\203B";
JavaScript"\u203B"
Python"\u203B"
Python (by name)"\N{REFERENCE MARK}"
Java / C#"\u203B"
UTF-8 bytesE2 80 BB
UTF-16203B
URL encoded%E2%80%BB

※ vs look-alike characters

These characters look similar to ※ but have a different meaning and code. Pasting the wrong one can break search, sorting and screen readers.

CharNameWhen to use it
Asterisk
U+002A		Asterisk (U+002A). The standard Western reference star used to tag words in body text.
Asterism
U+2042		Asterism (U+2042). Triangular cluster of three asterisks used as a section break divider.
CJK Unified Ideograph-7c73
U+7C73		Kanji character for rice (U+7C73). The Chinese/Japanese ideograph that inspired the name komejirushi.

Symbols similar to ※

Click to copy, or open a symbol for its codes. See the full punctuation symbols collection.

※ character properties

Official Unicode name
REFERENCE MARK
Also known as
komejirushi, rice symbol, japanese reference mark, cjk footnote mark
Code point
U+203B
Unicode block
General Punctuation (U+2000–U+206F)
General category
Other punctuation (Po)
Added in
Unicode 1.1 (1993)
Plane
Basic Multilingual Plane (0)
Emoji
No, it is a text symbol

Frequently asked questions

What does the ※ mark mean in Japan?

In Japan, ※ (komejirushi) introduces an important note, caveat, or footnote. It alerts the reader to read the accompanying sentence carefully.

Why is ※ called komejirushi?

The mark is called komejirushi (“rice mark”) because its four-dotted cross shape resembles the Japanese kanji character for rice, 米 (kome).

How do I type the reference mark on keyboard?

With a Japanese IME active, type “kome” and press Space to convert into ※. On Windows in Word, type 203B and press Alt + X. In HTML, write ※.

Is there an alt code for the reference mark?

No. ※ is outside the Windows-1252 and code page 437 character sets, so no Alt + number code produces it. Copy it from this page, type 203B then Alt + X in Word, or find it in Character Map.

How do I type the reference mark on a Mac?

There is no single Option shortcut for ※ on the US layout. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for “reference mark” and double-click it, or copy it from this page.

What is the HTML code for the reference mark?

※ has no named HTML entity. Use the numeric reference ※ or ※, or paste the character directly into a UTF-8 page.

What is the Unicode for the reference mark?

※ is U+203B, officially named REFERENCE MARK, in the General Punctuation block. It has been part of Unicode since version 1.1 (1993).